Michael Jackson’s Doctor Could Be Charged Next Week

Criminal charges could finally be coming in the June 25 death of Michael Jackson
. More than six months after the King of Pop’s passing, his embattled live-in physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, could face manslaughter charges as early as next week, according to TMZ.

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Citing multiple law enforcement sources, the site reported that Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley and members of his office have met to discuss charging Murray with involuntary manslaughter and that charges could be filed next week.

A spokesperson for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office could not be reached for comment at press time.

Earlier this year, TMZ reported that the Los Angeles Police Department had completed its investigation into Jackson’s death and was preparing to send the case to the DA’s office within weeks. According to the latest report, the LAPD still has not presented the case to the DA, but members of the DA’s office have worked closely with police on the case and are familiar with its details. The deputy DA assigned to the case, David Walgren, has reportedly briefed Cooley on the case and is in possession of all the police department’s notes on the matter.

Murray has told investigators that he administered the surgical anesthetic propofol, as well as other tranquilizers, to Jackson several times in the hours leading up to his death, and the coroner has ruled the singer died of lethal levels of the drug. Involuntary manslaughter charges would require prosecutors to show that Murray engaged in gross negligence in his actions but did not intend to cause harm or death to Jackson.